This semester I decided to sit in on a class called Community Art in Uganda. I wanted to
sit in on this class since I m pretty artistically challenged. My art consist
of writing my name down in cursive and tracing around my name over and over in
different colors. I have been doing this since third grade. If my mother kept
any of my art projects I would have proof. Anyway, I wanted to learn more about
art in Uganda and to see how art is impacting Uganda. What I did not realize
was how much my eyes were going to be open to the art and culture around
Uganda.
One of my favorite events to attend in Uganda are the poetry
slams that take place in Kampala the first Tuesday of the month. March was “The
Battle of the Sexes” since March 8th was Women’s Day (which is a
public holiday in Uganda). The women spoke about how women rule this world.
Most men talked about how women came from men. But then you had those guys who
made the women swoon by talking about how much they appreciate the women in
their lives. I loved seeing people around my age doing poetry. I had those
brief moments where I sat there watching the performs and thinking, “Huh… this
is in Uganda too.”
Two weeks ago was International student week on campus. The
main events happened on Friday. The old football pitch on campus displayed the
various countries represented at the university. Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo
(DRC), South Sudan, Nigeria, and USA were the representing countries. Each country wore their traditional wear (or
at least what they would wear in their home country). The American students
wore t-shirts and jeans. Each country also displayed the currency they used,
pictures of what their land looks like, and different objects that were native
to their country. The best part of the whole cultural gala was the free food
that was offered. Hands down the best food there was food from South Sudan.
Their food taste like a milder form of Ethiopian food. It was so tasty. Now
Nigerian food was perhaps the spiciest food I have ever tasted. I cried a
little bit. The American students made macaroni and cheese. I thought it was
pretty good, yet the African’s did not. The trashcan held a lot of uneaten mac
and cheese. I think the taste palate of Africans having various African food to
American food was just too drastic for them. Yet I also think that Americans
might like cheese way too much.
Kenya and Tanzania
South Sudan and Rwanda
Congo (DRC) and Nigeria
USA and Burundi
A mixture of various countries coming together with the American students
Lydia (office cleaner) and I trying Nigerian food
The best experience for me with international student week
was giving Africans an American football to play with. Most of them started
throwing it like a rugby ball. I did my best to display how to throw a spiral,
but I kind of failed. They eventually got the hang of it… somewhat.
He knew how to work a football
This lady is from Rwanda
That night was the cultural gala showcase where each country
performs their national anthem, show a video of their country, and do a country
dance (unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the showcase). The American students did the Cha-Cha slide for their cultural dance,
which the Africans loved. Anything that involves shaking your body gets a big
rise from Africans. The African countries had great showcases. All I have to
say about the night is that African have great pride in their presidents. When
Kenya got up to present they said, “We have a president who is in America.”
Africans really love them some Obama.
I took this picture of this poster in Eastern Uganda. It was displayed in a photo copy store.
I would love to have this poster. It cracks me up.
Okay moving on. The rest of my week was filled with art. I
finally stopped by this pottery place I always pass by on the way to Kampala. I
bought some mugs. They are not perfect, but they have such character. I also
bought some paintings from a friend I know on campus. What I love most about my
purchases is that I know the artist who made the art. I like knowing where my
stuff came from and whom it is benefiting.
New mugs!
Painting courtesy of Steven Boyyi
On Saturday I went on a community art trip. We went about an
hour away from the equator to an area near Masaka. There we met a gentleman
who is using art as a way of doing community development. His organization is
called Weaver Bird. They take in various
artists from around the world to teach them how to use art for community
development. Since my Master’s is in International Community Development, I
found his approach to development very compelling. It was so neat to see the village, Ndegeya, decorated in various colors, seeing a stage set up at the main crossroad
for various community performances, and viewing women using their crafts as a
way of making an income. That is what I love about community development. You
are invested in a community and you use your particular gifts, talents, and
skills to impact that area. His approach to community development has made the
community come together to address various issues in the community. Issues
ranging from family planning to healthcare are being addressed because he
started off with using art to bring the community development.
A sculpture made out of Jerry cans (Jerry cans are what are used to carry water in Uganda and most of Africa)
A wall where anyone can contribute their art
My co-worker Rachel adding her art
One of the students in the art class
My art consisted of writing "C'est Moi." French for "this is me."
Fun times in the massive jerry can
The town of Ndegeya
I find it strange that I am writing about art and culture in
Uganda. I’m writing about it like I never knew it was here. I think I
underestimated Uganda. About a month ago I went to a dance performance called Are U-Ganda. It was about trying to
define what an Ugandan identity looks like in Uganda since Uganda was colonized
by the British, many tribes makes up Uganda, many people did not grow up where
their tribe was from, many are educated, and many are influenced by Western
culture. When I (and probably everyone else) think about Uganda, I don’t really
think of slam poetry, pottery, celebrating cultures, art as community
development, or trying to figure out what it means to be a Ugandan. Only in
Uganda have I fully learned how art can be an expression of some many things.
I’m not in a “third world country” or an “uncivilized-need-my-help-to-develop
country.” I’m in a country where art is a way of expression regardless if it is
for understanding culture, gaining income, or pleasure.
